Flagrant Self-Promotion

I have attended the University of Wisconsin Writer’s Institute each spring for the last twelve years.  Each year I have one major take away and this year’s was – it’s ok for writer’s to flagrantly self-promote.  The keynote speaker for the conference provided the example by having copies of his most recent book available for sale.  He lugged a box of books from room to room throughout the conference and he would interrupt his speech several times with, “Oh by the way, did you know that I have copies of my book for sale, they’re on the table over there in the box.”  After repeating this several times the line got a laugh. 

His message was clear, it’s ok to let folks know that you have work for sale and what better place than a writer’s conference.  We devote your time to writing to have readers – plain and simple.  For some writers it is the only motivation they need.  The simple fact is that in today’s publishing world, no one is going to sell books for you.  Even well established authors like Richard Russo make the circuit of TV, radio, magazine and blog interviews when a new book is published. 

New authors like me are expected to develop our own marketing plan and finance about 98% of the cost.  It’s clear that if I want readers to buy my book, I’m the one that needs to promote it.  That actually makes sense to me.

 I’m proud of my book so when it’s launched later this year – get ready world, I’m going to promote in from sun up to sun down where ever I go.      

My friend Rob

My friend Rob is an amateur musician.  In saying this I mean it as the highest recognition for his art.  We often distinguish between being amateur versus professional which, I believe, is sad.  Be professional only means a person is paid for it and doesn’t reflect on the art.  The word amateur comes from the Latin amare, to love.  Rob loves music.

As friends we share many things and chief among them is we share creativity.  Rob writes his own lyrics and music.  We can spend hours with him playing guitar and singing and me listening.  Recently I was listening to several of his new songs and commented that the song should end at a different point than he wrote it.  He stopped, went into deep thought for a few minutes and then played again ending the song where I suggested.  He smiled, you’re right.

Rob read the draft manuscript of Murphy’s Troubles about a year ago.  He was so excited to be a beta reader.  We got together over tea and sweet treats at my house.  One of the first things he said was that it fascinated him how betrayal was a theme in the novel.  He liked that the protagonist, Ian Murphy was both betrayed and a betrayer.  I had to admit that in writing the manuscript I hadn’t consciously written the plot with that it mind – but he was right.

Rob and I share the creative process each in our own medium.  I consider myself lucky having Rob as a friend and a key to our friendship is having honesty in our respective creative processes.